Brothers and Sisters, I woke up this morning with my mind set on freedom and the ancestors bouncing around in my mind and spirit. My grandparents AA and Mary Jones were both born slaves but had managed to learn to read--him, at 14 and she, at 10 years old--so that when Emancipation came they became teachers.

This morning, my ancestors came with me and my wife, Jacqueline to our poling place at Philip O. Berry elementary school less than a mile from home. The persons working at the precinct were all elders, black women we have known for years who were all beaming with that quiet dignity and pride. At 9AM, they said, there had been three times as many people who showed up to vote this time, compared to the last election.

They smiled and said they felt great about what they were seeing and hearing from the voters. Apparently brother Obama has excited and inspired more voters than ever so far this morning. The black men both young and old came to me and enthusiastically assured me that they had voted for Obama. There is a joy in their spirits and voices about their vote for him. I have known most of them since they were children and this is something very special for them.

I have voted in every presidential election in the past 50 years and there has been much excitement for some of them, but I have never felt this excited about any of the past elections.